Enter the dreamlike world of Miki Ishida and Hirofumi Kera, members of the creative board leading Clé de Peau Beauté, the legendary and cutting-edge Japanese skincare and makeup house that is part of Shiseido group and has just arrived in France at La Samaritaine. With her keen artist’s eye, minute attention to detail and deep appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship, makeup artist Ishida goes beyond skin, creating bihada through a wide range of makeup expressions that highlight the true and unique beauty of each individual. Since joining Shiseido group in 2001, Ishida has brought her expertise to Clé de Peau Beauté for product development, helping to create foundation that brings out the ideal skin and brushes designed for effortless makeup application. For Crash, she and hair artist Hirofumi Kera share their insights as they collaborate on a beauty series on the theme of fauna and flora.

ROSE DOWN JACKET – UNDERCOVER

 

MARBLE PRINT DRESS WITH ITAJIME DETAIL, MARBLE PRINT JERSEY TOP – MAME KUROGOUCHI

BUBBLE PATTERN LACE CAPE – MOMOKO CHIJIMATSU
INSECTS CHOKER SILVER 925/ PEARL – SHO KONISHI

GRADIENT TULLE FLOWER CORSET WORN AS COLLAR, RUFFLE TRIMMED TOP, RUFFLE TRIMMED CAMI DRESS – VIVIANO

ROSE DOWN JACKET – UNDERCOVER

CRASH: How did you get from the theme of this work to the idea of the hair & makeup image? What did you notice during the session with Mote Sinabel Aoki? For example, how did you come up with the idea of putting wings on your eyebrows in terms of makeup and creating exquisite nuances in terms of hair?

HK: This time, I heard that plants and animals are the themes, and I felt that it was necessary to have an image in which “static expression” and “dynamic ex ­ pression” coexist. I came up with a series called “Flowers” from the exhibition I held in 2016. I hope that it will be sublimated into fashion through the fusion of motifs by people and plants and anthropomorphism.

MI: I thought about what kind of worldview to express with makeup in the theme of “Plants and Animals” from various angles, and assembled it with the “life force” of plants and animals as the key. We paid particular attention to color, texture and shape, which contribute to the expression. In addition, it connects with the beauty theme of “Embracing Nature’s Radiance” for the brand that I am in charge of, so it also reflects the inspiration of that time.

CRASH: What were you thinking about when finishing this hair & makeup? What points do you want us to pay attention to? If possible, please tell us about your strengths in hair & makeup.

HK: Assuming that the makeup will have a bold color scheme, I decided to keep the hair as minimal and balanced as possible. The headpiece made with a flower motif covers most of the face, leaving the human element as modest as possible. I also kept the other hairstyles to a minimum, with occasional organic surface nuances to ad ­ just the balance.

MI: The overall balance is important: photographer, stylist, hair artist, makeup and model. It is finished with consideration for a balance that makes the best use of each individuality. In addition, we believe that the beauty of the model’s eyes is the key point, and we based the makeup direction on the eyes.

CRASH: As an hair and makeup artist, what is the source of inspiration for your work and what do you always have in mind? How do you come up with ideas from the keywords provided by creators during sessions? Is it inflated? Life experiences and experiences that are the source of creation. Please let me know if there is anything you value. I want to touch on personality.

HK: I always try to be flexible so that I can change depending on who I am in session with. Personally, I am interested in various things such as art, traditional performing arts, European paintings and movies. But the music, anime, comedy and other media I was interested in during my adolescence (80s -90s) greatly influenced my style. So it’s reasonably fashionable, a little edgy, and sometimes comical. I think that’s what makes me unique. We are aiming for a strong avant garde style.

MI: I think the source of inspiration is based on my home ­town. I’m from the eastern ­most part of Japan, east of Hokkaido, but I’m surrounded by abundant and harsh nature, flora and fauna and the sea. I’ve been playing in the fields, the sea, and the ranch since I was little. The untouched nature is really interesting, with trees growing diagonally due to the wind from the Sea of Okhotsk and surprisingly bright and dignified flowers blooming in a harsh environment, with animals such as sika deer, squirrels, and tufted puffin run through the fields. There is a strong influence from the nature that exists around us. If I have time, I like to walk in the park or garden to get new awareness and inspiration.

CRASH: Please tell us about the possibilities of hair and makeup artists unique to Mr. Kera, who is active in the fields of culture, fashion and art. HK: I think things will diversify in the coming era, not only artists who just do hair and makeup, but also hair and makeup artists who produce various creations and people who are active only in the virtual world. I think that the environment where the power of hair makeup is required will expand into fields that were previously seen as unrelated.

CRASH: Please tell us your thoughts on the future.

HK: Today, as the principal of a hair and makeup school, I think it is my mission to nurture young people and shape the generation that will lead the world of beauty. I myself would like to work as a hair and makeup artist and as a Japanese artist who is active in the world.

CRASH: What is most thrilling part of working closely on brand marketing, such as product development, promotion and education for beauty brands (Clé de Peau Beauté) that are expanding around the world?

MI: The best part is creating and delivering high quality products together with the brand. Highly specialized members are active in each group, but by connecting those groups side by side, we are the only one who is consistently involved at every step from creation to customer. That is a big factor that cannot be experienced anywhere else. It is also important for me to be able to create such an opportunity for many customers around the world to feel so connected to branded product

CRASH: What are your recommendations for Clé de Peau Beauté new lipstick *?

MI: I would recommend the new Clé de Peau Beauté Lipstick *, a wonderful rouge packed with beautiful coloring, smoothness and moisture. The 30 colors that express the beautiful world of flowers make your personal expression even more beautiful. I want you to make your own flowers bloom on your lips.

CRASH: What would you like to challenge in your future activities?

MI: I would like to collaborate with different people around the world. I can’t travel abroad now, but I think that collaborating with people from different backgrounds and cultures will lead to the creation of new value for makeup. Also, I would like to use my experience in product development to work on planning in other industries.

*THE NEWLY RELEASED CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ LIPSTICK IS USED FOR THIS SHOOT.

COAT WORN BACK TO FRONT ON THE SHOULDER – UNDERCOVER (Markus Akesson Provided by Galerie Da-End)

MAKE UP

EYESHADOW – POWDER EYE COLOR SOLO#207 / EYE COLOR QUAD#306

FOUNDATION – RADIANT CREAM FOUNDATION N / RADIANT FLUID FOUNDATION NATURAL

LIPSTICK – LIPSTICK SHIMMER#313 / LIPSTICK MATTE#116 / LIPSTICK#23

PHOTOGRAPHER – MOTE SINABEL AOKI

STYLIST – DEMI DEMU

MAKE UP – MIKI ISHIDA (SHISEIDO)

HAIR – HIROFUMI KERA (SHISEIDO)